However, the rise of streaming has been the great equalizer. Netflix, Apple TV+, and Hulu are hungry for "prestige" content, and prestige often requires the gravitas only a mature actress can bring. The image of the "sad, lonely older woman" or the "desperate cougar" is being retired. In its place is something far more interesting: the sovereign woman.

The film industry is finally catching up to reality. Women over 50 control a massive portion of global wealth and streaming subscriptions. We aren't going to the movies to see ourselves erased. We are going to see ourselves reflected—wrinkles, scars, wisdom, and all. It isn't perfect yet. The pay gap persists. Leading roles for women over 60 are still statistically rare, especially for women of color (though legends like Angela Bassett and Viola Davis are smashing that door down).

But audiences have proven that theory wrong. Violently wrong.